OXFORD, Mississippi – The University of Iowa baseball team used a six-run top of the ninth to win against Ole Miss, 13-7, on Friday night at Swayze Field.
“We found a way to get it done tonight,” said head coach Rick Heller. “After a great start by Brody Brecht and a 5-2 lead when he left the game, things got crazy. We took a 7-2 lead into the eighth but the walks by the bullpen allowed Ole Miss to tie it. We bounced back with the six runs in the top of the 9th to get the win.”
The Hawkeyes got out to a 7-2 lead through seven innings before the Rebels used a big eighth inning to tie the game at 7-7. Iowa responded with six in the top of the last frame to pull away and earn the win.
Brody Brecht got the start for Iowa throwing five innings. He allowed five hits, two runs (one earned), while walking two. The Ankeny, Iowa, native struck out 11 Rebels.
The Hawkeyes turned to Anthony Watts out of the bullpen and got two innings of work. Watts walked five and allowed two earned runs while not allowing a hit. Brant Hogue threw 2/3 of an inning and allowed three runs.
Jack Young, Elliot Cadieux-Lanoue and Jack Whitlock combined to pitch the last 1 1/3 innings of work holding Ole Miss to zero runs on two hits. Cadieux-Lanoue earned his second career win in the contest.
“After what happened to us in the eighth, we showed incredible toughness to bounce back like we did in the ninth,” said Heller. “We had so many big hits and great at bats. Two out RBI’s and guys just clutching up. I couldn’t be prouder of our team. They just kept playing.”
Five different Hawkeyes had a multi-RBI night. Davis Cop led the way with three RBIs on 2-of-5 hitting. Ben Wilmes, Raider Tello, Reese Moore and Kyle Huckstorf each plated a pair of RBIs. Tello was 2-for-4 with a home run.
Notables:
- The all-time series is now tied at 4-4, and the Hawkeyes won the first meeting of the teams since 1997.
- Brody Brecht now has double digit strikeouts in three straight games.
- Iowa has defeated an SEC opponent in back-to-back seasons having defeated No. 1 LSU on Feb. 25, 2023.
Up Next:
The Hawkeyes continue the series with Ole Miss on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (CT)